Hat with adjustable shading and related methods

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus and related methods for adjustable shading.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/641,719 filed on Dec. 18, 2009, entitled “Improved Hat with Adjustable Shading and Related Methods”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present application is in the field of apparatuses with adjustable shading.

2. Background of the Invention

For years individuals have sought to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. One remedy for excessive sun exposure is a head covering. Typically, head coverings have been useful for providing relief from overhead sun exposure. However, sun exposure is directional whereby overhead protection, by itself, does not ensure adequate sun avoidance. For example, overhead coverings have frequently been inadequate for shading the side of the head, the neck, the temples, the ears, and/or the shoulders of the wearer. Additionally, sun exposure is variable whereby sun protection or shading preferences may vary from time to time. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved head covering that protects a wearer from directional sun exposure while accommodating variable shading preferences of a wearer.

To address these problems, some have attempted to provide head coverings that may shade different areas of a wearer's head and neck. For example: U.S. Pat. No. 946,770 (issued Jan. 18, 1910), U.S. Pat. No. 2,883,669 (issued Apr. 28, 1959), U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,648 (issued Dec. 9, 1997), and US 2008/0066214 (published Mar. 20, 2008) disclose a cap with a neck flap; U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,782 (issued Jul. 11, 1989) discloses a cap having a visor and combination ear and neck flap that is capable of folding up against the cap, or cinch around the flap perimeter; U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,343—(issued Oct. 4, 1994) discloses a cap with an ear plus neck flap, wherein strings are used to externally cinch the ear flap behind the head of the wearer; U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,732 (issued Apr. 29, 1997) discloses a hat plus hood combination wherein the hood flaps over the neck; U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,241 (Sep. 14, 1999) discloses a hat with a neck flap that folds upward; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,830 (Apr. 25, 2000) discloses a cap with a shawl. Although the cited references provide an improvement over a typical head covering, these solutions also have some drawbacks.

The cited references have not adequately improved head coverings for directional sun exposure and accommodating variable shading preferences of a wearer. For instance, the cited references require full shading or no shading without a means for intermediate shading configurations. As a result, there is still a need for methods and apparatus that improve head coverings with adjustable shading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present application to disclose an apparatus with adjustable shading to accommodate directional sun exposure and variable shading preferences of a wearer.

It is a further object of the present application to disclose an apparatus for shading the side of the head, the neck, the temples, the ears, and/or the shoulders of a wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a shading apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an orthogonal front view of the shading apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an orthogonal back view of the shading apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an orthogonal right-side view of the shading apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an orthogonal left-side view of the shading apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an orthogonal top view of the shading apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an orthogonal bottom view of the shading apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shading apparatus in an alternate configuration.

FIG. 9 is an orthogonal front view of the shading apparatus in the alternate configuration of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an orthogonal back view of the shading apparatus in the alternate configuration FIG. 8 than FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is an orthogonal right-side view of the shading apparatus in the alternate configuration FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an orthogonal left-side view of the shading apparatus in the alternate configuration FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is an orthogonal top view of the shading apparatus in the alternate configuration FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is an orthogonal bottom view of the shading apparatus in the alternate configuration FIG. 8.

It is to be noted however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROFFERED EMBODIMENTS

The present application discloses a preferred embodiment of a shading apparatus with adjustable shading. In general, the disclosed shading apparatus may feature: a headband that fits around a wearer's head; a preferably stiff brim that extends forwardly from the front of the head band for shading the wearers eyes and face; and, a havelock that may preferably extend laterally and rearwardly from the vicinity of the headband for shading the temples, ears, and neck of the wearer. The shading provided by the havelock may suitably be adjusted for varying degrees of wearer coverage.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferable embodiment of a shading apparatus 1 with adjustable shading. As seen in the figure, the shading apparatus 1 comprises three main parts, namely: a cap 100; a brim 200; and a havelock 300. Contextually, the cap 100 may be worn over and around a wearer's head with the brim 200 extending over the wearer's eyes and face while the havelock 300 may unfurl over the wearer's temples, ears, neck, and possibly shoulders.

FIGS. 2 through 7 depict the six orthogonal views of the shading apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. More specifically, FIGS. 2 through 7 respectively depict the front, back, right-side, left-side, top, and bottom view of the shading apparatus 1 depicted in FIG. 1. When taken together, the figures illustrate: (1) preferable aspects of the cap 100; (2) preferable aspects of the brim 200; (3) preferable aspects of an unfurled havelock 300; and, (4) the preferable assembly of the cap 100, brim 200, and havelock 300.

Preferable features of the cap 100 are best seen in FIGS. 2 through 7. The cap may be a means for securing the brim 200 and havelock 300 to a wearer. As seen in the figures, the cap 100 may comprise: a headband 101 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) with an adjusting means 102 (see FIG. 3); and, optionally, a covering 103 (see FIGS. 2 through 6) with a ventilation means 104 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The headband 101 with adjusting means 102 is for securing the cap 100 to the head of a wearer. As best seen in FIG. 7, the headband 101 generally defines a continuous loop wherein the adjusting means 102 preferably operates to reduce or increase the loop perimeter. In the preferable embodiment: the head band 101 may be defined by a fabric strip 109 connected at its ends by an adjustable fabric 105; and the adjusting means 102 may be defined by a cord 106 and a cord lock 107 as depicted by FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. To preferably operate the headband 101 the headband 101 may be placed around the head of a wearer and the cord 106 pulled through the cord lock 107 to cinch the headband 101 securely to the wearer's head along the adjustable fabric. A first end of the cord 106 may be provided to an end of the fabric strip 109 and the second end of the cord 106 may be pulled through the cord lock 107 to draw the headband 101 to a smaller loop. In a preferable embodiment the cord is 5 to 10 inches in length, with 8 inches being preferable for most hat sizes. Suitably, the locked cord lock 107 on the cord 106 preferably interacts with the adjustable fabric 105 to restrict the headband 101 from returning to its normal size. The preferable manner of adjusting has been described as a side lock or side locking mechanism since the cord is preferably pulled in a single sideways direction to reduce the headband 101 loop size.

It should be noted that, although a cord 106 plus cord lock 107 is disclosed as the adjusting means 102, any type of adjusting means may be used. For example, snaps, ties, velcro, and be t, and other adjusting means known to one of skill in the art may be used. It should also be noted that, although a fabric strip 109 has been disclosed, the headband 101 may comprise a loop of any type of material, including but not limited to, plastics, leathers, fabrics, meshes, metals, and the like.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 through 6, the cap 100 may optionally comprise a cover 103 with a ventilation means 104. As seen in the drawings, the cover 103 is preferably assembled to the headband 101 for covering the wearer's head from above the headband 101. In the preferable embodiment, the cover 103 is defined by a plurality of fabric pieces (best seen in FIG. 6) that are sewn together and assembled to the headband 101 (best seen FIGS. 2 and 7) into a receptacle for a cap 100 wearer's head. Preferably, the headband 101 and covering 103 assembly is configured whereby the size of the receptacle can be manipulated via the adjusting means 102 of the headband 101. Optionally, the covering features a venting means 104 for releasing heat produced by a wearer's head while within the receptacle. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the venting means 104 may be defined by a plurality of eyelets 108 provided to the covering 103. Other venting which means may also be provided to the cover 103 include, but are not limited to: mesh side panels; and openings in the materials (vents).

Suitably, the volume and dimensions of the cover 103 may vary according to wearer preferences and hair styles. For example, the cover 103 may feature a cut-out above the adjusting means in back of the cap 100 whereby a wearer's pony-tail may extend through the cut-out and hang down over the top of the havelock 300. For another example, the cover 103 may feature a pocket above the adjusting means in back of the cap 100 whereby a wearer's long hair may be collected in the pocket. The addition of the pocket may be particularly important in military applications wherein long haired soldiers are required to style their hair in a bun configuration at the back of their head.

In addition, it should be noted that, although the cover 103 is depicted as a plurality of fabric pieces sewn together and assembled to the headband 101, the covering does not need to be fabric and instead may be constructed of materials, including but not limited to, plastics, metals, and woods as would be consistent with hats for use with heavy construction.

Preferable features of the brim 200 are best seen in FIGS. 2, and 4 through 7. Typically, the brim 200 may operate to shade the eyes and face of a shading apparatus 1 wearer. Referring to FIG. 7, the brim 200 may be defined by a rigid, yet formable, extension 201 provided to the headband 101 at a location opposite to the adjusting means 102. As seen in the figure, the extension 201 typically follows the looping shape of the headband 101 in order to accommodate the contours of a human forehead while worn. Although the extension 201 may initially be flat, it is preferable that the extension 201 be deformable whereby it 201 may be modified to adjust the shading of the wearer's eyes. In FIG. 2, for example, the extension 201 is bent into an arch to provide shading from light that is not directly overhead. In the preferable embodiment, the brim 200 may be constructed of fabric-wrapped cardboard, fabric-wrapped plastics, plastics, metals, and the like. The brim 200 may alternatively not be rigid and instead be formed of soft “batting” material to produce a soft brim.

Preferable features of an unfurled havelock 300 are best seen in FIGS. 2 through 7. Typically, an unfurled havelock 300 may operate to shade the temples, ears, neck, and possible shoulders of a shading apparatus 1 wearer. As seen in the figures, an unfurled havelock 300 may comprise: a cape 301; and, a slack cinching means 302.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the cape 301 of an unfurled havelock 300 extends temporally (i.e., outwardly from the region of the apparatus 1 near a wearer's temples) and backwardly. As best seen in seen FIG. 6, the havelock 200 is preferably provided to the apparatus 1 around the headband from a first angle 10 (in a range of about twenty-five or about fifty-five degrees off an origin of the center line of the cap 100 and brim 200) to a second angle 11 (in a range of about minus twenty-five or about minus fifty-five degrees off the origin of the first angle 10). Suitably, the identified placement of the havelock 300 around the headband 101 preferably results in an overlap of the cape 301 and brim 200 whereby a wearer's eyes are shaded from a laterally approaching light source. Referring now to FIG. 7, the cape 301 preferably extends from a mid-point on or covers at least a portion of, the brim 200 at an angle 20 which is in a range of about ninety degrees and about one-hundred and twenty degrees (one-hundred and thirty one degrees being preferable) relative to the brim 200 side. Dimensionally, the cape 301 may be ten to thirty inches in width (with fourteen inches being preferable) and three to ten inches in length (with six inches being preferable) from the back of the head band 101 for most hat sizes. When a shading apparatus 1 is worn, the unfurled cape 301 drapes over a portion of the brim (best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5) at an angle 30 of in a range of about ninety and one-hundred and sixty degrees relative to the side of the brim 200 (one-hundred and thirty-one degrees being preferable). The resultant drape of the cape 301 shades the wearer's temples (See FIGS. 4 and 5), ears (See FIGS. 4 and 5), neck (see FIGS. 2 through 5), and optionally shoulders. A suitable unfurlable havelock 300 that extends over at least a portion of the brim provides unique advantages to the wearer in terms of shielding from the elements while still permitting adjustability to maximize peripheral vision as needed.

Suitably, while the havelock 300 is unfurled, the slack cinching leans 302 does not typically perform any functions. In a preferable unfurled embodiment: the cape 300 may be a fabric, plastic neoprene, or a flaccid material; and the cinching means 302 may be a cord 304 plus cord lock 305 wherein the cord 304 runs through a pocket within the cape 301 and slackily attaches to both lateral portions 306 of the cape. Preferably, the cord 304 is within 10 to 30 inches in length, with 20 inches being preferable for most hat sizes.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the shading apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 with a cinched havelock 300 for adjusted shading. As seen in the figure, the cinched shading apparatus 1 still preferably comprises: a cap 100; a brim 200; and a havelock 300. Contextually, the cinched cap 100 may be worn over and around a wearer's head with the brim 200 extending over the wearer's eyes and face while the havelock 300 may cover the wearer's neck.

FIGS. 9 through 14 depict the six orthogonal views of the cinched shading apparatus 1 of FIG. 8. More specifically, FIGS. 9 through 14 respectively depict the front, back, right-side, left-side, top, and bottom view of the shading apparatus 1 depicted in FIG. 1. When taken together, the figures illustrate preferable aspects of cinched havelock 300. The preferable aspects of the cap 100 and brim 200 remain as disclosed above in connection with the earlier figures.

Preferable features of a cinched havelock 300 are best seen in FIGS. 9 through 14. Typically, a cinched havelock 300 may operate to shade the neck of a shading apparatus 1 wearer. A cinched havelock 300 preferably comprises: a cape 301; and, a cinched cinching means 302.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the cape 301 of a cinched havelock 300 extends backwardly, typically from the vicinity of the headband 101. When a shading apparatus 1 is worn, the cinched cape 301 drapes primarily over the wearer's neck (see FIGS. 9 through 12). While the havelock 300 is cinched, the cinching means 302 typically holds the lateral portions 306 of the cape 301 against the sides of the cap 100. In a preferable cinched embodiment: the cape 301 may bee fabric, mesh, plastic neoprene, or a flaccid material; and the cinching means 302 may be a cord 304 plus cord lock 305 wherein the cord 304 taughtly extends to both lateral portions 306 of the cape 301 whereby the lateral portions 306 are held against the cap 100. Preferably, the ends of the cord 304 are disposed within a pocket 303 and the central portion of the cord 304 is exposed at the pocket 303 exterior. Suitably, when the central portion of the cord 304 is drawn through the cord lock 305 the cape 301 gathers, rather than bows, around the taught cord 304 ends.

In addition to gathering the cape, the configuration of the pocket 303 may suitably define the cinching direction of the cape 301. Suitably, the pocket 303 is configured wherein the cord 304 ends angle from the cord lock 305 towards the lateral portions of the cape 301. Referring to FIG. 6, When suitably configured, the cord 304 ends angle 40 at twenty to forty degrees from the cord lock 305 and side-to-side axis of the shading apparatus 1 or at angle 41 which is from sixty to eighty degrees from the cord lock 305 and front-to-back axis of the shading apparatus 1. Preferably, the angle 40 or 41 of the pocket 303 directs the lateral portions 306 of the cape 301 inwardly and backwardly, preferably to draw the lateral portions 306 against the headband, when the cord 304 is cinched so that the shading coverage is reduced. It should be noted that varying the angle 40 or 41 will correspondingly vary the coverage of the lateral portion 306 of a cinched havelock 300.

In the preferable embodiments disclosed above, the shading provided by the shading apparatus 1 may suitably be adjusted for varying degrees of wearer coverage. The adjustability of the shading apparatus 1 coverage is preferably disclosed by comparing the shading apparatus 1 depicted in FIGS. 1 through 7 with the corresponding depictions of a cinched shading apparatus 1 in FIGS. 8 through 14. In general, the shading provided by the shading apparatus 1 may be adjusted to the full coverage provided by an unfurled havelock (FIGS. 1 through 7); the minimal coverage provided by a fully cinched havelock 300 (FIGS. 8 through 14); or any amount of partial coverage between an unfurled havelock 300 and a fully cinched havelock 300.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 13, the shading coverage of the havelock 300 may be adjusted via manipulating the cinching means 302. In the preferable embodiment, shading may be adjusted as follows. First, the cord lock 305 (FIG. 6) is preferably released. Second, the midsection of the cord 304 is pulled through the cord lock 305 so the effective length (i.e., the distance between the cord 304 ends that are attached to the lateral portions 306 of the cape 301) of the cord 304 is reduced (from a FIG. 6 configuration to a FIG. 13 configuration). The reduction in effective cord 304 length draws the lateral portions 306 of the cape toward the cap 100, and the pocket 303 gathers the cape 301 around the cord 304 as discussed above. Third, the cord lock 304 is set to lock the cord 304 at its reduced effective length. Preferably, varying degrees of shading coverage in between a fully unfurled Havelock 300 (FIG. 6) and a cinched Havelock 300 (FIG. 13) may be accomplished via manipulating the effective cord 304 length within the pocket 303.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, an optional manner of adjusting the shading of the apparatus 1 may preferably be folding the lateral portions 306 of the cape 301 up toward the cap 100. In the same manner of adjusting, the lateral portions 306 of the cape 301 may subsequently be folded downwardly to cover the ears.

It is contemplated that the shading apparatus 1 may be adapted for use as both a provider of shade and a personal cooling device. More specifically, the shading apparatus 1 may be saturated with water prior to placement over a wearer's head. A soaked apparatus 1 will transfer water to the wearer and thereby conduct heat away from the wearer's head, neck, and shoulders while providing the shading functions set forth above. The wet apparatus 1 will further cool the wearer as the water evaporates. Such an adaptation may be particularly important in tropical or desert climates. Accordingly, what is disclosed ray be a method of cooling a human comprising the steps of: wetting an apparatus 1 with water; placing the wet apparatus 1 on the human; and, allowing the water to contact the human and evaporate.

It is further contemplated that the shading apparatus 1 may be adapted for use underneath a helmet or wherein the covering 103 is replaced with a helmet.

It should be noted that FIGS. 1 through 14 and the associated description are of illustrative importance only. In other words, the above depictions and descriptions should not be construed as limiting of the subject matter in this application. The preferable embodiments and methods discussed hereby are susceptible to modification without changing the overall concept of the disclosure. Additional modifications may become apparent to one skilled in the art after reading this disclosure. 

1. A shading apparatus operationally configured to transform into different shading configurations to accommodate a wearer's variable shading preferences comprising: a cap assembled to be worn over the wearer's head, said cap defined by a headband encircling the inner perimeter of the cap comprising an adjustable fabric so that the headband may be securely adjusted around the head and wherein the perimeter of the headband is adjusted through the clinching or loosening of a first cord attached to a first cord lock; a brim with an extended covering to accommodate the contours of the human forehead and to shade a wearer's front face; a havelock capable of variable shading configurations for adjustable shading coverage, said havelock defined by a cape draped around the edges of the cap, and a locking mechanism comprising a second cord pulled through a second cord lock in order to secure the havelock shading configuration, and provided that the havelock may transform into different shading configurations suited to the wearer's shading preference by pulling or loosening the second cord, wherein pulling the second cord scrunches the cape along the sides of the cape to expose the wearer's neck and ears to the environment, and loosening the second cord unfurls and expands the surface area of the cape to provide variable shading coverage to cover the wearer's ears and neck from exposure to the environment.
 2. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first cord lock is selected from any of the group of materials consisting of either a toggle cord lock, snap, tie, hook and loop fastener, or belt to securely adjust the headband around the wearer.
 3. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second cord lock is selected from any of the group of materials consisting of either a toggle cord lock, snap, tie, hook and loop fastener or belt to securely adjust the headband around the wearer.
 4. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein the brim is constructed of any of the group of materials consisting of fabric wrapped cardboard, plastics and metals to provide a rigid shading coverage for the wearer's front face.
 5. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cape draped around the edges of the cap is constructed of any of the group of materials consisting of mesh panels, eyelets and vented openings to provide circulation and ventilation of heat and moisture.
 6. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cape that extends over the sides of the brim is flipped either upwards or downwards to provide variable shading to the sides of the face while still permitting adjustable maximization of the peripheral vision as needed.
 7. The shading apparatus of claim 4 wherein the cape is constructed of neoprene material.
 8. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cape is ten to thirty inches in width and three to ten inches in length from the back of the headband to provide variable shading coverage of the wearer's neck and ears from exposure to the environment.
 9. The shading apparatus of claim 1 wherein a cut out opening is located at back of the cap and across from the brim so that a wearer's hair may be passed through the cut out.
 10. A method of protecting a face and neck from an environment with a shading apparatus capable of transforming into different shading configurations comprising: a. wearing a cap assembled to be securely placed over a wearer's head, wherein the cap is defined by a headband encircling the inner perimeter of the cap comprising: an adjustable fabric allowing the headband to be securely adjusted around the wearer's head as the pulling or loosening on a first cord pulled through a first cord lock adjusts the perimeter of the headband; a brim with an extended covering to accommodate the contours of the human forehead in order to provide shade coverage of a wearer's front face and a havelock capable of multiple configurations for adjustable shading coverage, wherein said havelock defined by a cape draped around the edges of the cap and a locking mechanism consisting of a second cord pulled through a second cord lock in order to secure the havelock shading configuration in place; b. pulling the second cord to scrunch and pull the cape closer along sides of the cap so that the wearer's ears and neck are exposed to the environment; and c. loosening the second cord to unfurl and expand the surface area of the cape in order to provide greater shading coverage of the wearer's ears and neck from exposure to the environment.
 11. The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of claim 9 wherein securing and adjusting the headband around the wearer's head with a first cord lock selected from any of the group of materials consisting of either of toggle cord lock, snap, tie, hook and loop fastener and belt.
 12. The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of claim 9 wherein loosening or scrunching the havelock with a second cord that is selected from any of the group of materials consisting of either of a toggle cord lock, snap, tie, hook and loop fastener, belt or any combination thereof to adjust and secure the shading coverage of the havelock.
 13. The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of claim 9 wherein wearing a shading apparatus with the brim selected from any of the group of materials consisting of fabric wrapped cardboard, plastics and metals to provide a rigid shading coverage for the front face.
 14. The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of claim 9 wherein wearing a shading apparatus with the cape draped around the edges of the cap selected from any of the group of materials consisting of mesh panels, eyelets and vented openings to provide circulation and ventilation of heat and moisture.
 15. The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of claim 13 wherein wearing a shading apparatus where the cape is constructed of plastic neoprene material.
 16. The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of claim 9 wherein flipping the sides of the cape which extends over the sides of the brim upward or downward will provide variable shading to the sides of the face while still permitting adjustable maximization of the peripheral vision as needed.
 17. The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of claim 9 wherein the cape is ten to thirty inches in width and three to ten inches in length from the back of the headband to provide variable shading coverage of the wearer's neck and ears.
 18. The method of protecting the face and neck from the environment of claim 9 wherein placing a wearer's hair through a cut out located at back of the cap and across the brim. 